Bowyer needs variety

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Class AAA Rochester closer Travis Bowyer has dominated International League hitters with his fastball.

It's earned the right-hander a spot on the International League's all-star team. But the Twins want their potential closer of the future to diversify his pitch repertoire before deeming Bowyer ready for the major leagues.

'A one-pitch pitcher is not going to do it up here,' Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said from his Metrodome office last week. 'He needs that second pitch. He's showing signs of throwing more breaking balls.'

Twenty-one of the 24 pitches Bowyer threw in one inning to save Monday's win over Indianapolis were fastballs.

Bowyer, 23, entered Friday leading the International League with 16 saves and had a 2-1 record with a 1.36 earned-run average. He will represent the Red Wings in the July 13 all-star game in Sacramento. He also has been selected to pitch for the United States team in the Futures Game on July 10 in Detroit.

A September call-up to the majors could be in order for Bowyer, the Twins' 20th-round pick in 1999.

Lost and found

Rochester third baseman Terry Tiffee might have rediscovered his approach at the plate last week.

Tiffee was a combined 5 for 8 with three home runs and seven runs batted in during games Tuesday and Wednesday against Indianapolis. Tiffee, who hit a grand slam in Wednesday's win, had fallen into a miserable slump with the Twins, and he was batting just .194 when Minnesota optioned him to Rochester on June 5. He entered Wednesday's game having hit just .130 since rejoining the Red Wings. But Tiffee's overall average in Rochester had risen to .277 entering Friday.

'Maybe he's starting to get his confidence back,' Rantz said.

Moving soon?

With Rochester left fielder Josh Rabe battling plantar fasciitis in his foot, slugger Garrett Jones soon could see his first action this season in the outfield, Rantz said.

Jones, the everyday first baseman, started taking fly balls in the outfield during pregame drills last week. The organization has been contemplating having Jones play some outfield as a possible way to expedite his progression to the majors.

'It's good for him to show versatility, and it doesn't hurt to know another position with (first baseman Justin) Morneau in Minnesota,' Red Wings interim manager Rich Miller told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Jones, 24, played in the outfield a few games while in the Atlanta Braves organization. Jones' defense has been shaky at first base, but he has decent enough speed to warrant the opportunity to play a corner outfield position.

'It's always good to be versatile,' Jones told the Rochester newspaper.

Briefly

The parent club isn't the only team in the organization that has seen poor offense squander outstanding pitching. Scott Baker entered Tuesday's start at Indianapolis ranked third in the International League with a 2.75 earned-run average, but the Red Wings had not scored a run for the right-hander in 14 1/3 innings. The dubious streak ended when Tiffee blasted a two-run home run in the second inning.

Rochester manager Phil Roof is scheduled to coach in the International League all-star game, Rantz said. Roof has been on a leave of absence since April to spend time with his wife, Marie, who is battling cancer.

Roof, who lives in Paducah, Ky., was scheduled to visit the Red Wings during this weekend's series in Louisville. It would be the first time he has seen his players since deciding to take the leave of absence in early April.